Improvement in indexing



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID A. ROBERTS, COLUMBUS, OHIO IMPROVEMENT IN INDEXING.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. [91,885, dated June 12,1877; application filed April 23, 1877.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DAVID ARTHUR BOB- ERTS,of Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have inventeda new and useful Improvement in Ledger-Index, of which the following isa specification.

Figure l is a perspective view of a book to which my improvement hasbeen applied, part of the leaves being shown spread. Fig. 2 is an edgeview of the book. Fig. 3 represents the index-page. Fig. 4 represents adetached index-page. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the same taken throughthe line a; w, Fig. 4.. Fig. 6 represents the blade or key.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to furnish an improved mode of indexingledgers and other books, to enable them to be readily opened at anydesired page.

The invention will first be described in connection with the drawing,and then pointed out in the claim.

A represents a book, in the edges of the leaves of which are formedslits or notches, a beginning at the head or foot, or at either corner,and each succeeding slit or notch a being cut a little lower down thanthe notch of the preceding leaf.

In the case of thick books two or more sets of slits or notches may beused, the place of beginning of each set being indicated by a protrudingtag, a or other suitable means.

At the beginning of each set of notches a. is an index-page,-a along theouter edge of which are entered'numbers corresponding in position withthe notches or slits in the pages, the index-pages having spacesopposite the said numbers, to receive the names. Or the index page orpages may be made separate, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The said detached index-page isprovided with numbers corresponding withthe notches in the edges of the leaves. The detached index-page may beprovided with a thumbloop, a, for convenience in handling it, and mayalso have spaces to receive the names of the parties with whom theaccounts are kept.

The detached index-page may have a blotting-pad, B, attached to itslower side.

0 is a blade formed upon or attached to a pen-holder or other suitablehandle, and which should be made with a shoulder to rest against theedges of the books. The blade 0 may be attached to a ring or otherdevice to be worn upon the hand.

In using the device the blade 0 is placed upon the first page of theset, and is moved downward, passing through the notches 0. until it isopposite the name of the party whose account is looked for andthe'number of the page upon which that account is kept, and the blade 0'is then raised, opening the book.

In this way the book A can be opened quickly at the desired place, andwithout its being necessary to touch the leaves with the hand. I

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patout-- A book having one slit in each leaf, each succeedingslit being cut a little lower down than the preceding one, as shown anddescribed, to adapt a book to be posted in the manner described.

n. A. ROBERTS.

Witnesses:

. G. REASONER,

JOHN J. EVANS.

